This op-ed by Zoe Loftus-Farren, the managing editor of Earth Island Journal, discusses the absence of women at the helm of environmental nonprofit organizations. Loftu-Farren argues that women, especially women of color, are at the frontlines of the climate crisis but often trapped behind glass ceilings in the environmental movement. Although women comprise over half the workforce in the field, they are underrepresented in key decision-making roles and often passed over for promotions. By presenting statistics along with observations from her own experiences in nonprofit work, Loftus-Farren makes the case that the environmental movement must undergo reforms related to board selection, employee retention efforts, and policies for equity and inclusion. She also emphasizes the tangible and intangible benefits of women’s leadership in the workplace.
